A fitting ending to a magical Cinderella run is up for Jose Rizal U’s taking.
Underdog and all, the Heavy Bombers shoot for the kill against reigning NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions in Game 2 of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup today at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
If ever, that would be a landmark win for a squad long mired in mediocrity.
JRU last won an NCAA title in 1972 and a Fr. Martin’s Cup pre-season crown in 2015, making this 5 p.m. tussle with the Red Lions a perfect stage to show its readiness to contend for the crown in the coming NCAA 102nd season.
‘Alam naman natin kung gaano na katagal pero binubuhay namin ulit ‘yung winning culture ng school,’ said mentor Nani Epondulan as JRU shoots for glory in the collegiate preseason tourney.
Epondulan and his troops are out to get the job done after a 70-59 win over San Beda, a fellow NCAA team which trumped UAAP powerhouse squads La Salle and UP in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
‘Mahirap, pero pag nagawa naman namin at tinrabaho namin, hindi sila makakalimutan ng tao,’ said Epondulan, banking on blue-chip recruits Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla, who combined for 41 points and 18 rebounds in Game 1. ‘Sabi ko naman sa kanila, paghirapan na natin ngayon and then saka na tayo mag-happy-happy kapag nakuha na natin.